Snow removal device for roofs, flat surfaces and the like

• US 6,158,791 A
• Filed: 01/04/2000
• Issued: 12/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stephen C. Drew
• Original Assignee: Stephen C. Drew
• Inventors: Drew, Stephen C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kramer, Dean J.
• Application Number:
  US09/479,272
• Time in Patent Office: 343 Days
• Field of Search: 294/49, 294/51, 294/54.5, 294/56, 294/57, 294/59, 37/241, 37/265, 37/266, 37/284, 37/285, 37/268, 15/106, 15/111
• US Class Current: 294/54.5
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/106 Snow removing devices for gutters E04D13/076
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 15/006 for cleaning the roof for cleaning gutters E04D13/0765; for removing snow from roofs E04D13/106

Abstract

A snow removal system that has a primary cutter assembly and a series of specialized attachments. The cutter assembly is formed from a length of aluminum bent to form a single horizontal cutting bar with two vertical cutting wings. The cutter bar has a tailpiece formed from a length of stiff but flexible plastic attached to the back edge. An elevated center bar serves as the thrust point and fixture for several of the attachments. The attachments to the cutter assembly include: a toggling plate; extensions to the vertical side bars that can be forward, vertical or trailing; a starting aid and depth setter; an edge limiting aid; a broom, set to the proper angle for a given application; an extension to the plastic tailpiece; and a bottom protector plate. Thrust or pull for the cutter assembly is achieved by the use of several special push-pull tubes. A simple elastic cord is used to secure the plastic tailpiece to the cutter assembly for storage.

Claims

1. A snow removal device for elevated horizontal, pitched or curved surfaces comprising:

a) a horizontal cutter bar having a front edge, a back edge, and a pair of vertical side wings;

b) a vertical, thin, blade-like center thrust support, operably attached to said horizontal cutter bar;

c) a semi-rigid tailpiece removably attached to the back edge of said horizontal cutter bar; and

d) a means for moving said horizontal cutter bar along a snow-covered surface.

2. The snow removal device of claim 1 further comprising:

a pair of adjustable side runners, attached to said pair of vertical side wings.

3. The snow removal device of claim 1 further comprising a pair of cutter bar extensions, attached to said pair of vertical side wings.

4. The snow removal device of claim 3 wherein said pair of cutter bar extension extends forward from said pair vertical side wings and lie in a horizontal plane with respect to said pair of vertical side wings.

5. The snow removal device of claim 3 wherein said pair of cutter bar extension extends reward from said pair vertical side wings and lie in a horizontal plane with respect to said pair of vertical side wings.

6. The snow removal device of claim 3 wherein said pair of cutter bar extension extends upward from said pair vertical side wings and lie in a vertical plane with respect to said pair of vertical side wings.

7. The snow removal device of claim 3 further comprising a cutter bar extension, removably attached to the center thrust support of said horizontal cutter bar.

8. The snow removal device of claim 1, wherein the means for moving said horizontal cutter bar along a snow-covered surface comprise a drive handle.

9. The snow removal device of claim 8 wherein the drive handle has an angled portion formed therein.

10. The snow removal device of claim 1 further comprising a duckbill shaped aid attached to said horizontal cutter bar as a means for starting and depth control in deep snow.

11. The snow removal device of claim 1 further comprising an eve starting aid attached to said horizontal cutter bar.

12. The snow removal device of claim 1 further comprising a toggle plate, attached to said horizontal cutter bar, such that said toggle plate is used as a means for holding loose snow in place.

13. The snow removal device of claim 12 whereas the horizontal cutter bar is curved.

14. The snow removal device of claim 13 wherein the toggle plate is adapted to fit the curve of said horizontal cutter bar.

15. The snow removal device of claim 1 further comprising a broom attachment attached to said horizontal cutter bar.

16. The snow removal device of claim 1 further comprising a universal adapter plate attached to said horizontal cutter bar.

17. The snow removal device of claim 1 further comprising at least one tailpiece extension, fixedly attached to said semi-rigid tailpiece, whereby said semi-rigid tailpiece can be lengthened by an incremental amount.

18. The snow removal device of claim 1 wherein the semi-rigid tailpiece is rolled for storage.

19. The snow removal device of claim 1 further comprising:

a plastic protector, having a bottom surface, attached to said horizontal cutter bar;

wherein said plastic protector having a plurality of parallel ribs formed on said bottom surface of said plastic protector, whereby said plurality of parallel ribs forms a scarifier texture.